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When it comes to live albums, they have to be REALLY good for me to like them. Most of the time, the live albums that bands release don't sound that great or they don't really capture the essence of their live shows. But over the years, the list of great live albums has been growing for me. In this article, I'll explain which live albums are my favorites and why you should give them a listen!



1. The Levellers – “The Fiddle and the Drum"
This live album is an official fanclub bootleg, at least I think it's an official release. The Levs sound great and are very energetic. Another reason why I love this release because it's the very first album I heard from the band. Don't tell the band, but thanks to file sharing, I wouldn't have heard of the Levellers if it wasn't for downloading. Hey, and don't give me crap for downloading because I've spent so much money on the Levellers you wouldn't believe (like flying to England twice to see them live)! But anyway, The Levellers play mostly tracks from “Levelling the Land" and “A Weapon Called the Word." “The Game" and “Liberty Song" were THE songs from this album that got me hooked onto the Levellers. If I had to recommend a live album by my favorite band, then this one would be it.

2. The Pogues – “Ultimate Collection" (Disc 2)
The recent Pogues “Ultimate Collection" was an official 2-disc release by the Pogues that came out in 2005. The first disc served as a best-of disc with many songs you'd expect to hear. The second disc is a live performance at London's Brixton Academy in 2001. I'm sure some people would prefer the unofficial Streams of Whiskey live album since the band was in their prime then. I actually think this one is the far superior one because there's just so many great songs being played here. Shane MacGowan's vocals sound excellent and the rest of the band playing & singing sound equally great. Definitely pick up this Ultimate Collection album if you call yourself a Pogues fan.

3. Madness – “Universal Madness"
I saw Madness around the time this album was released, and that show could been one of the best concerts i've ever been to. Their performance on this album is great, and you really get the sense of a live concert. You hear the crowd cheering, and you feel like your at the concert with them. There's 13 tracks in total and each one of them is a classic. Well I guess hearing a skinhead reggae version of Swan Lake I could have done without but the rest of the album is almost flawless. “Our House" and “Bed & Breakfast Man" stood out in my mind.

4. Bob Marley and the Wailers – “Live"
Granted there are only 8 tracks on this album, it's still an infamous show and one of the best live recordings from Marley & the Wailers. You should be able to recognize at least one song from this live album, and that's “No Woman No Cry." It's the second track on the Wailer's “Legend" album, which I think could be the best Greatest Hits album ever but that's another article for another time. “No Woman No Cry" is such a powerful song that sounds ten times better live than it does in the studio. It certainly doesn't hold the same impact as hearing it on their studio album. Another notable song that I love from this album is “Trenchtown Rock," which starts the album off. There are other great live albums from the Wailers like “Babylon By Bus" but this one stands out from the rest. I believe there might have been a live video from this concert as well? At least check out the live album if anything.

5. Ozzy – “Tribute"
The Randy Rhodes Tribute was one of the very first live albums I owned. I think it might have been my first Ozzy album as well. I got into Ozzy right around when “No Rest for the Wicked" came out and I saw him live that time as well. This live album really captures how crazy Ozzy was live, plus all the songs being played here are amazing! Though hearing them in person is just as great. The album cover is quite iconic as well. It's right up there with The Clash's London Calling album cover. This is by far the best Ozzy live album out there. “CRAZY!!"

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